iPad gets Aussie thumbs up

As the awe and adulation surrounding Apple's iPad announcement died down, chatter quickly turned to the plethora of features Apple deliberately excluded from the device.

One of the selling points of the device, iBooks, which allows users to access an array of e-books and digital textbooks, is not listed as a feature on the iPad page on Apple Australia's website.

This indicates it will not be available to Australian users when the device is launched here in March. A note on the US site says iBooks is "available in the U.S. only".

Lacks key features ... Apple's iPad

In a similar vein to the launch of the iPhone, Apple has left features out of the iPad in order to force customers to hand over more money for accessories and, eventually, the next generation of the device.

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--------------------------------------------------------------------12 key features the iPad lacks--------------------------------------------------------------------

The iPad lacks a built-in camera, USB ports and memory card reader, but all three features can be added by buying separate adapters. A separate keyboard dock is required to connect the iPad to a keyboard.

Apple unveils the iPad

"Are we really going to have to carry a separate camera with us and connect it to the iPad to get it onto the internet?" wrote Mike Melanson on ReadWriteWeb.com.

"And what about Skype, undoubtedly one of the favorites when it comes to keeping in touch with friends and family in far away places? Video chatting is out of the question."

The iPad is based on the same operating system as the iPhone, and they share the limitation of being unable to use multiple applications at the same time or to display web pages created using Adobe's Flash.

Also like the iPhone, users of the iPad can only install apps sanctioned by Apple and provided through its App Store. However, web apps that are run through the browser will work.

Only videos contained in the user's iTunes library or converted to Apple's video formats will play, and files cannot be dragged and dropped on to the device, as is the case with most other computers.

It also lacks an HDMI output for connection to a TV set. Only 720p video playback is supported, rather than the 1080p resolution of true high-definition files.

Similarly, when the iPhone launched, it lacked the ability to search, copy and paste, record videos and send MMS messages, among other features, but these were all added later.

"The tablet's resolution tops out at 1024 x 768, which falls into the 4:3 standard definition range and not the glorious, widescreen 16:9 high definition aspect ratio we've come to know and love," wrote Barb Dybwad on the Mashable blog.

There is no full GPS support either but the more expensive 3G models, set to be released a month after the standard models, can pinpoint your location on Google Maps using nearby mobile towers.

Apple fanboys expected to ignore flaws

But New York Times columnist David Pogue said, as is often the case with Apple product announcements, all these qualms will disappear once the device goes on sale.

Pogue is confident people will still be lining up around the block to buy one. He noted that many said the iPhone would flop in the period before it went on sale.

"My main message to fanboys is this: it's too early to draw any conclusions," he wrote.

"Apple hasn't given the thing to any reviewers yet, there are no iPad-only apps yet (there will be), the e-bookstore hasn't gone online yet, and so on. So hyperventilating is not yet the appropriate reaction."

Anthony Agius, owner of the popular Australian Apple community website, MacTalk, said he could live without most of the omitted features but the lack of iBooks was a deal breaker.

"I don't think there's anything that has been left out that's necessary or can't be added on through accessories but the iBook feature is the main selling point," he said.

"Given what happened with the iTunes music store launch, it could be months or even years before it [iBooks] comes out on the iPad in Australia."

The iPad's name has also come up for ridicule, with many likening it to feminine hygiene products. The word "iTampon" is among the trending topics on Twitter today, warranting far more mentions than even "Apple" or "iPad".

App makers rejoice

App developers have only had positive things to say about the iPad, which will provide a whole new market for their apps. The 140,000 existing apps for the iPhone will all work on the iPad but many developers are redesigning their apps to take advantage of the larger screen.

Melbourne company Firemint, which developed one of the most popular iPhone games, Flight Control, said it was re-releasing the game for the iPad. Several other iPad games would also be developed by Firemint, spokeswoman Alexandra Peters said.

"A larger screen means that games can be more immersive, as well as allowing for higher detail and bigger animations," said Peters.

"It also means there is more room for user interface elements so games can be more accessible. Developers may not need to make the same trade-offs as for devices with very little screen real-estate."

91 comments so far

I understand the point about there being no camera. However, in relation to the memory card slot etc, you need to remember that when Apple introduced the colourful iMac it didn't include a floppy disk drive (and sold it as an add-on) and everyone thought they were crazy. Turns out they were just forward thinking. Similarly with the CD drive in the Macbook Air. Apple doesn't forget things by mistake...

As for there being no iBooks, I expect that licencing agreements are yet to be finalised so they can't put anything in place yet. But it isn't a problem with the device - once the licencing comes together you'll merely download the app. The device is still the same.

Commenter

PLXMN

Location

Canberra

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:29PM

lack of iBooks in aust as yet is purely about territorial publishing rights. as they prepare for launch down here they'll be talking to all the major publishers, because they'll want to announce with some high profile local news and literature

Commenter

cowspanker

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:29PM

The tablet's resolution tops out at 1024 x 768, which falls into the 4:3 standard definition range and not the glorious, widescreen 16:9 high definition aspect ratio we've come to know and love," wrote Barb Dybwad on the Mashable blog.

Ha ha ha ....... the aspect we have all come to lath and hate...which makes buying a big screen plasma pointless.

Commenter

Johnnyred

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:30PM

Wont be wasting my money on the first version, missing features such as camera and USB port make it less appealing than a number of other tablets on the market. One disappointed Mac fan...

Commenter

MrM

Location

Newcastle

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:34PM

No 3G/GSM , seperate ibooks for Australia with over inflated prices .. Just like the first colour macs where you had to buy a floppy drive.

More overmarketed average function bling. Apple make IBM and Microsoft look like charities.

Apple fanboys are suckers.

Commenter

bk

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:46PM

I waited for the iPhone 3G, I can wait for the iPad 2. I reckon it will be worth the wait, for the same reasons.

Commenter

Rob

Location

Wollongong

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:51PM

Though I have refused to buy any of these rubbish iProducts, I have to say, Apple do know how to suck money out of people.

Their business model is like selling an entertainment system by advertising how cool the TV screen looks and then fail to mention that there "entertainment system" has no speakers, power cords, remote control, DVD player, Digital tuner, oh and its not even in HD... so basicaly your getting a screen.

And then they charge you premium prices on all the "extras" that your "entertainment unit" should have shipped with.

Oh, and on top of that you have to pay Apple $1 every time you change the channel or insert a DVD.

lol, they must be laughing at their iCult all the way to the bank!

Commenter

Terry

Location

Sydney

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:52PM

The current licencing arrangement foe i Books is a pain. The advantage of a larger screen is lost.Currently few iBooks can be imported for the iPod, though Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc. advertise them for sale.

Commenter

Dickoh

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:53PM

I expect in a year's time they'll have a new "new iPad classic" with all the omitted features re-introduced as 'new' features.

Commenter

Darek

Location

Sydney

Date and time

January 28, 2010, 2:56PM

@ PLXMN, your right Apple doesn't forget things by mistake which is why you can buy the memory card adoptable for extra cash.

To suggest that memory cards are going to go away and hence Apple left it off is foolish in my view. Not to mention it ignores the fact that Apple just added memory card slots to its laptops